West Virginia Veterans
Memorial

The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is a
two-story oval shaped monument honoring more than 10,000 West
Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation
in twentieth century conflicts. Composed of four limestone
monoliths surrounded by a reflecting pool, the interior walls are
faced in polished black granite etched with the names of these men
and women. The Memorial was designed by P. Joseph Mullins, who also
sculpted the four figures representing the four major twentieth
century conflicts and the four major branches of military
service.

Begun as a privately funded undertaking, the
Veterans Memorial Commission spearheaded these efforts as it
undertook compiling the names to be honored on the Memorial. After
the official groundbreaking ceremony on June 22, 1990, the
foundation was completed the year after and the monolith cores in
1992. Work was performed under direction of ZMM, Inc. architects
and G & G Builders. The 1994 legislature provided for lottery
revenues to supplement fund-raising efforts, moving the project to
a more rapid completion. With installation of the final sculpture
in 1999, the cost of the Memorial and data on the inscribed names
approached four million dollars. The project continues through the
work of the Veterans Memorial Archives, which compiles additional
background information on each veteran honored on the Memorial, to
be placed in a database and accessible to the public through the
West Virginia State Archives.

Dedication of the Memorial, with the World War II sailor
sculpture, took place on Veterans Day 1995, ten years after the
appointment of the original West Virginia Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Commission. In Veterans Day ceremonies in 1997 - 99, the bronze
sculptures of a World War I dough boy, a Korean aviator, and a
Vietnam Marine, respectively, were dedicated. Each figure is in
full gear, authentic to the period and rank represented, as
meticulously researched by the sculptor.

The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is part of the State Capitol
Complex in Charleston. To visit the Memorial, take Exit 99 (State
Capitol/Greenbrier St.) of Interstate 64/77. Pre-pay parking
(bring quarters!) is available on the Capitol Complex.
Additional visitor parking is available at Laidley Field on
Elizabeth St. with shuttle service to the complex.

How Many West Virginians Served?

It is impossible to determine the number of West Virginians who
served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Mexican War
because West Virginia was still part of Virginia. The U.S. Veterans
Affairs Office has defined the periods of active duty and the U.S.
Dept. of Defense has compiled estimated service numbers for
20th-century wars.

If you have additional information about the veterans listed on
the Memorial or if you know of any West Virginia veterans killed or
missing in action whose names do not appear on the wall, please
contact Debra Basham,
Archives and History, 304/558-0230.